A/N: Rated M for language and sexual content. Standard disclaimer applies. Also, if you don't like sex scenes, skip the one in this chapter.

Updated 6/15/2020: Massive edits throughout. Turk scenes added, as well as new Cloud and Tifa scenes.

Chapter 2:

When morning came, Meteor, Holy, and the Lifestream were nowhere to be seen, as if the events of the previous night had never happened. Anyone not living in Midgar or Kalm might not have even known anything had happened.

The refugees who had taken shelter in the slums around the main support pillar were still alive. Some had even managed to sleep a few hours once the Lifestream retreated. The little boy Reno found near the hospital, who was no more than 4 or 5 years old, refused to let him go, so the Turk was sitting on the ground cross-legged as the boy slept in his lap. Rude and Tseng continued to give him teasing looks due to his new ward, and the redhead was getting pretty tired of his image being tarnished. Elena had found them during the night and joined the men in commenting on Reno's alleged parenting skills.

When there was enough light to see, Reno began looking around for someone who could take the child. He spotted an elderly woman standing alone nearby who seemed capable enough. She had light gray, almost white hair that was pulled back tightly but then puffed out instead of forming a ponytail. She wore black leggings and a gray robe over a black dress. She looked like the kind of woman who would help out a small child, so Reno took the boy over to her.

"Is he yours?" Marle asked.

"No, I found him near the hospital," Reno replied, sensitive that people assumed it was his kid. "I need to work though…"

"I'll take him," Marle said, extending her arms as Reno pried the boy from his neck. "Come here, baby."

The boy, still sleeping, finally released Reno's neck and put up little fight when he was handed to Marle, instantly wrapping his arms around her neck and snuggling.

"Thanks," Reno said, glad to be free.

Marle nodded and the Turk returned to Tseng and Rude.

"We should look for a way out of the city," he told his comrades.

Reno and Rude left Tseng with Elena in order to scout the surrounding area and find a way out of Midgar. They were in Sector 5, meaning there was a gate leading to the desert badlands surrounding the city if they could just make it across the slums. Luckily for them, most of the Sector 5 plate had never been rebuilt, so they only needed to move people beyond what remained above before they could breathe easy.

They sent ex-Turks Ruluf and Alvis in another direction to see if they could find a better path. Alvis, naturally, complained but eventually took off, vowing to be the one who found the path if he were being forced into search duty. As Reno and Rude walked down one of the streets, climbing over rubble and avoiding still smoldering fires, they could hear the AVALANCHE ninja brat and the ex-Shinra pilot swearing a block away. At some point, Reno caught a glimpse down a side street and noticed a tail with a fiery tip disappear among the buildings along with the ends of a tattered red cape.

"Guess we're not the only ones looking for the exit," he muttered.

The vampire, as Vincent Valentine was called by some at Shinra, and the lion-dog thing weren't the worst members of AVALANCHE to the Turks, but knowing any member was nearby set them on edge. At least Reno hadn't run into any of the female ex-Turks he had slept with when they were still with the company. Small miracles. Rude thought the experience would have made Reno keep his dick in his pants, at least when it came to Shinra employees, but no.

The two veteran Turks were finally able to reach the far end of Sector 5 to find Cloud and Tifa standing in front of the large metal gate. Reno scoffed that AVALANCHE had beaten them to the gate, but he had to admit he did not mind the view of Lockhart's backside. He scanned her bare legs up to her shapely ass, which was barely covered by a black leather miniskirt. It was a view he rarely got to see, since she was usually facing him to fight. His eyes lingered on her a moment too long – he was a little tightly wound from the stress of everything and not getting laid since before Diamond Weapon's attack – until he noticed Vincent and Nanaki appear further to his right, having just found a way through the destruction themselves.

The six warriors were quiet for a moment, and could hear muffled voices on the other side of the gate, though they couldn't understand what was being said. Cloud put his ear up to the gate to try and listen, but it didn't help.

"Well, this looks promising," Reno said a little sarcastically, causing Cloud and Tifa to whirl around in battle stance. Strife had his sword already drawn by the time he faced them. Reno and Rude raised their palms defensively. "Whoa, whoa, we're not here to fight, just lookin' for the exit."

Tifa lowered her fists and Cloud relaxed, returning his sword to its place on his back.

"Can we still open it?" Nanaki asked, padding up to the pair and sitting on his haunches.

"We still have the key," Cloud informed him. "Not sure it'll work with the power being out."

Reno folded his arms across his chest and huffed. Of course AVALANCHE had a key to the city. He didn't know how they got it, but he was instantly struck. Whatever AVALANCHE did, they were praised, at least by a lot of people, even though they killed people just like the Turks. Reno definitely liked the fear he instilled in people and the power he possessed, he just didn't like that AVALANCHE was seen so positively after everything they had done.

The Turks watched as Cloud inserted an old-looking keycard into a slot next to the massive gate. They heard a loud clicking sound from the gate as sparks flew out of the slot for a few moments before disappearing. The gate didn't move. Cloud walked over to where the two massive doors met, placed a hand on either one, and began to pull them apart. His muscles tensed and quaked as he used all his inhuman strength to move the doors apart slightly.

Tifa, the dutiful AVALANCHE lieutenant, approached him to help. Together they moved the doors apart another foot.

"Maybe if we all try?" Cloud asked.

Vincent and Nanaki walked over. Reno and Rude sighed, begrudgingly agreeing to assist AVALANCHE in this mundane task. The Turks took one door while Cloud, Tifa, and Vincent took the other. Nanaki backed up to the door the Turks were pushing and propped his back legs on it in a handstand (pawstand?) position, pushing off the ground with all his might and walking backwards as the door moved.

"Hey, watch where ya swing that thing, will ya?" Reno scolded as he dodged Nanaki's flaming tail.

Between the six of them they were able to shove the doors apart almost entirely, though it took an embarrassing amount of physical effort. Shinra definitely wanted to make sure no one got out of Midgar without proper clearance.

When the doors refused to budge anymore, the group finally noticed that on the other side of the wall was a large-scale disaster-relief area. Men and women in Shinra military uniforms with Junon branch patches on their sleeves were setting up medical equipment and tents for refugees, as well as establishing makeshift kitchens and portable bathrooms.

There appeared to be hundreds working on the project. Reeve must have been on the phone all night with world leaders trying to get aid to Midgar. Reeve may not have been the most imposing of the Shinra executives, but it was clear now what he could accomplish when left to his own devices.

Cloud wiped the sweat from his brow and looked back toward the main support pillar where the refugees remained. "Looks like there's just three paths to get out here," he mused. "Let's try to make them as easy as possible for people to cross as we make our way back."

Reno clicked his tongue and offered a sarcastic salute to the AVALANCHE leader before he and Rude returned down the road they had traveled before. They were already out of earshot when Cloud clutched his head in pain, as he had done the night before on the Highwind. He and Tifa had stayed behind to make sure the Turks didn't try to pull anything. Now she again rushed to Cloud's side. If last night was a fluke caused by Sephiroth and Jenova still dying, what was this, then?

Cloud again assured her it was nothing and that it was probably just a normal headache that he wasn't used to, given his history. Tifa was more skeptical this time, but again didn't push the subject.

The first major obstacle the Turks approached on their way back to the main pillar required moving heavy sections of a stone building that had broken apart during the calamity. The two men stood on either side of one of the sections and lifted with a grunt.

"So, you still like that AVALANCHE chick?" Reno asked his partner as they carried the debris to the side of the road.

"…yeah," Rude offered, looking a little sullen. Reno groaned.

The redhead thought his partner would have gotten over her by now, what with her constantly trying to kill them – while they were trying to kill her, of course. Still, he wished Rude could move past his little crush. It was never going to happen.

They returned to the pillar with relative ease; only a few sections of the path they traversed needed to be cleared or made safe for the refugees. When they arrived, they saw Reeve standing on a makeshift platform addressing the crowd.

"… and it looks like the search teams have returned," he said, turning to the Turks and AVALANCHE members. "Were you able to clear a path to the gate?" Cloud nodded and Reeve turned his attention back to the crowd. "Alright, we need to get out of the city, follow those men out of Midgar, where Junon has set up a disaster-relief zone."

Reno whistled and Rude held up his fist to get people to follow them toward the badlands. The refugees followed much easier this time than the night before, to the Turks' delight. They helped Tseng stagger over obstacles until they returned to the area just beyond Midgar once again.

The Junon crews appeared to know what they were doing once the refugees reached them, guiding them to where they needed to go depending on injuries and physical status. The Turks helped Tseng over to the medical tent to get checked out. He wasn't injured, but they wanted to be sure their chief hadn't agitated his wound during the night's activities. When Tseng was cleared, the four Turks found an unoccupied dome relief tent with four beds and claimed it – at least for the moment. Reno and Rude set down their getaway bags while Elena sat with Tseng on one of the beds. The director was exhausted, but clearly annoyed that he wasn't able to help as much as he would like.

The members of AVALANCHE decided that they would each return to their homes and loved ones once the refugees found their way out of Midgar but agreed to meet in one week at the lake in the Forgotten Capital where Aerith rested. They briefly considered going to see Aerith first, but Barret's desperation to see Marlene again made them reconsider. They left Cait Sith with Reeve as the – former? – Shinra executive continued to organize the relief efforts. After his speech at the support pillar, he hadn't been off the phone for more than a few seconds, calling various other towns to try and shore up support for the Midgar refugees.

Cid dropped everyone off as he made his way back to Rocket Town with the Highwind. He jested that the town should be renamed Airship Town since the rocket was gone.

"Even better," he said, slapping himself on the chest, "they should name it Highwind Town."

He looked at each of the others, eagerly hoping they would agree. They all just stared at him blankly.

Yuffie absconded with much of the group's materia shortly after they landed in Kalm to drop off Barret. The man with the gun arm planned to stay with Elmyra and Marlene for a while before heading off to North Corel to help rebuild the town.

They weren't that concerned about losing their materia. The planet was saved, right? How much did they really need it anymore? Cloud grabbed a few of his favorite orbs while Tifa held on tightly to Aerith's mastered Restore materia.

No one was quite sure when Vincent left the group, as he didn't say a word to anyone. Tifa thought it was while they were saying goodbye to Barret in Kalm. Cid suggested the raven-haired enigma had simply jumped over the side of the airship mid-air. He wasn't suggesting Vincent jumped to his death, but that they knew so little about the ex-Turk that he may have turned into a bat and flown away. Nanaki reminded him that Vincent could have turned into Chaos Beast and wafted into the distance.

Nanaki was taken home to Cosmo Canyon, explaining that he still had much to learn about the world but would do so while taking his rightful place as protector of the canyon, just like his parents had done before him.

When it was down to just Cid, Cloud, and Tifa, the pilot had to ask an uncomfortable question.

"Where to?"

Cloud looked at Tifa, hoping she would have an answer. She did not. Neither of them had a home or loved ones to return to; they only had each other. Gazing into her warm wine-colored eyes, he asked the question he never thought he'd ask her.

"Do you," he hesitated, "think it's time we faced our demons in Nibelheim?"

Tifa blinked, the color vanishing from her cheeks, though her facial expression did not change.

"I… don't know," she said before looking at her feet.

Cloud stepped toward her and placed a hand on each of her shoulders. She raised her head to meet his eyes.

"As long as you're with me, I think I can handle anything," he said.

Tifa closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. She opened them again as a nervous smile spread across her lips.

"Yeah, let's go to Nibelheim," she said.

Cid set the airship down and allowed them to disembark. It was just a short trip for him back to Rocket Town now, and though he'd never admit it out loud, he was anxious to see Shera again.

When the roar of the airship was out of earshot, Cloud again looked at Tifa. They were standing just outside the replica town sign.

"What should we do?" he asked.

"Well, I know how to run a bar," she replied. Cloud grinned.

"And I know how to drink," he said, matching her cadence.

Tifa's eyelids dropped as she frowned at him. She didn't say a word, just kept her face solid until he tried again.

"And I know how to carry things…" Cloud added.

Tifa's expression didn't soften.

"… and I can help get supplies."

Finally, Tifa smiled.

"Sounds good," she said, tilting her head.

Cloud's mood lifted and he took her hand in his as the two walked into town.

By the time everyone met at Aerith's lake, Cloud and Tifa realized Nibelheim was not the place for them to settle down. There was a limited amount of property for sale, none of which was large enough to open a bar. On top of that, though the pair no longer felt anxious walking through the rebuilt city, they realized it was too weird to be surrounded by actors hired by Shinra to play townspeople. Of course, by now they were actually townspeople, but the whole feel of the town was different – more like Midgar.

And that's where they felt they would fit in best. Surely Reeve would need more help after the calamity, and the pair felt they needed to continue assisting their former neighbors. They may have just saved the planet, but individual people still needed help.

They all gathered around the lake in the Forgotten Capital a week after Meteor nearly destroyed the planet. Barret brought Marlene and Elmyra with him so they could join in the somber affair. Even Vincent showed up, though he stood away from the group and leaned against a nearby tree with his head hung low.

Cloud took Tifa's hand as they both stepped to the edge of the water. The others joined them and made a semi-circle around the lake. They each took a moment to say something – to thank Aerith for saving the planet and for her sacrifice. When Yuffie tried to speak she burst into tears and stepped back. Barret thanked Aerith for saving Marlene. Cid said she was "one helluva lady."

When it was Elmyra's turn to speak, she squeezed Marlene's hand and took a deep breath.

"I always knew Aerith was special; that she was meant for something far greater than I could ever imagine," she began. "And I was right."

A soft smile escaped her lips as she continued.

"Aerith used to tell me how everyone returned to the planet, but I never really understood until now," Elmyra began to choke back tears. "I know Aerith has returned to the planet, and I know she's watching over all of us."

Tifa wiped tears from her eyes before she spoke.

"Aerith. I didn't know you for that long, but in that short amount of time you became my best friend," she said. "I know you were with us that night on the airship, and I know that you're with us every day – but that won't stop me from missing you."

The tears flowed freely from her eyes as she tried desperately to wipe them away. She tightened her grip on Cloud's hand as he stepped forward to speak.

"Aerith, I…" he began, searching for the right words, "I hope you have forgiven us – me. I know we'll see you again someday."

Cloud turned to wrap his arms around Tifa. Everyone remained quiet for a few minutes to say a silent prayer for their departed friend. Cid was the first to break the silence.

"Ok, everyone," he said, "we have a planet to rebuild."

The rest of AVALANCHE nodded their heads and began leaving the city to return to the airship. Vincent again vanished into thin air without telling anyone where he was going, and again they were unsure whether he boarded the Highwind or just left from the Forgotten Capital.

This time, Cid dropped off Cloud and Tifa to the east of Midgar, where Reeve said the new city was being built.

The city of Edge had already come quite far since the night of the calamity. Former residents of Midgar, including Shinra employees, worked together to build makeshift homes and shops and roads. Within a few weeks, people with specialized skills constructed a new sewer system and electricity system that was able to leach energy from one of the old reactors. That meant using Mako energy, but it was the only way to get people off the streets as quickly as possible.

People from all over the world came to help, in a show of unity never seen before. Yuffie led a team from Wutai. Construction crews from Gongaga and Fort Condor aided in the reconstruction. Scientists and mechanics from Rocket Town began working on a new power system that used coal and oil instead of mako. Even Icicle Inn sent gil and supplies.

Those who lived in the upper plate, though they had lost everything, were far better off than those in the slums once a few bank branches opened in Edge. Despite the collapse, their money was still safe. Those in the slums, who had no access to banks, lost what little money they had been able to save while fleeing the destruction. Soon, however, people from the slums had new jobs alongside former Shinra employees in a city beginning to take shape. Sure, there were class divisions among sections of the town, but everyone now lived under the same sun, with no physical barriers separating them.

In the center of the city, a monument to the Chosen Day was erected. It towered over the street that circled around it. Atop the structure, a metal meteor was placed. At the bottom, a plaque with the date that Meteor nearly destroyed the planet along with the date the monument was established.

Cloud and Tifa stayed in one of the dome relief tents while helping others build sturdy homes before finding a section of land to begin constructing a new bar, with help, of course. It was difficult being alone in the tent, as their hormones kept drawing them to each other. The problem, however, was that the walls of the tent were thin, and there were dozens of other tents in close proximity. They couldn't control their urges, but they were definitely looking forward to having thicker walls so they wouldn't have to stifle their lovemaking.

The other problem, for Cloud at least, was that he couldn't hide his occasional headaches when Tifa was always nearby. They didn't happen often, maybe once a week or every other week, but the worried look on her face made him feel worse than the headaches. He thought these migraines, accompanied by flashes of horrifying visions of his past and possible future, would have stopped when they defeated Sephiroth and Jenova. He was also having occasional nightmares, which was nothing new, but he worried those combined with the continuing headaches meant his life wouldn't be as free as he thought it would be from now on.

Before they began construction on their own bar and home, one of the first buildings Cloud and Tifa helped erect was an orphanage for Marle. Apparently, after Reno left that young boy with her, she started noticing other children who were all alone. She began gathering every scared, lonely child she could in the hopes that if she got them all together, word would spread and parents looking for their missing children could come find them.

Some of the kids did find their families, but others were not so lucky. The people working to rebuild Edge made sure the orphanage had everything the children needed. Some of the children from the old Leaf House found their way to Marle's establishment, though they were sad to report their teachers didn't make it.

Cloud and Tifa provided Marle several million gil once the orphanage opened and promised to provide more if and when she needed it.

"Still the granddaughter I never had," Marle said with her hand over her heart as the barmaid hugged her goodbye after construction was complete. "I am so glad he ended up being good enough for you," she added, eyeing Cloud. "You know what I'm going to say though: Don't you hurt her."

"I won't," Cloud said with a smile, wrapping an arm around Tifa's shoulders and pulling her close.

Tifa never dreamed of a big house or yard; she only wanted a place she could call her own. Within months of her arrival in Edge, news had spread about what she and her companions had done for the planet. She wasn't sure how people found out, but she vowed to use her newfound celebrity status for a good cause. They continued to help build Edge, but they found themselves constantly approached for pictures and autographs as people would ask "are you the guys that saved the planet?"

It bothered Cloud more, since he never wanted the fame and still didn't know how to act around people he didn't know.

Barret came to Edge after leaving Kalm to help Cloud and Tifa build the new city and a new bar before eventually continuing on to North Corel to assist the people there. The three of them were part of a group of volunteers who would venture back into Midgar to find building supplies, such as scrap metal and lumber. Occasionally, they would see the Turks entering or leaving the city with Shinra-branded equipment, including forklifts carrying palettes of unknown supplies and backhoes.

The bottom floor of the structure Tifa and Cloud helped build for themselves was large enough for a bar and a dozen tables. Behind the bar was a storage room, a public restroom, and a staircase leading to a small two-bedroom apartment with a living room, kitchen, and two-and-a-half bathrooms. She and Cloud shared a bedroom and left the other open for any of their friends who may want to visit.

The bar was finished first, allowing the couple to spend their days building – and fending off the odd monster that wandered into town – and their nights helping the residents of Edge unwind with alcohol.

Soon after the bar had opened, Tifa began seeing people she recognized – mainly, members of the Turks. At least two or three times a week, Reno and Rude would try to stop in for a drink.

"We don't serve contract killers," Cloud told them as he crossed his arms and leaned against the front doorway the first time they tried to enter.

"Aw, come on, man," Reno pleaded. "Shinra's dead, we're just helping rebuild, like you."

Rude remained silent but Reno knew he was glaring at Cloud behind those dark sunglasses. Tifa soon joined the blond, her face no more accepting. Rude hated to see her frown.

"After all the shit you assholes pulled?" Tifa asked from just behind Cloud's shoulder in the doorway.

"Hey, we didn't want to drop the plate, but you people just wouldn't quit," Reno explained. Tifa visibly tensed, but Cloud remained the same. "Besides, all that's in the past."

"You tried to kill us!" Tifa shouted, remembering her first formal introduction to the two Turks now standing outside her bar.

She had just seen one of her friends, Biggs, lying dead against the Sector 7 pillar after trying to stop Shinra from crushing thousands of people. She was climbing the stairs to join Cloud after asking Aerith to find Marlene. She was rounding a flight of stairs when the Turks' helicopter began firing at her. Bullets whizzed by her head and chest, close enough for her to feel their wind, before the helicopter suddenly jerked and took out the staircase beneath her.

Rude cleared his throat, also remembering how he kept Reno from killing Tifa that day. The bald Turk hated that while he saved Tifa's life, Cloud was the one to reach out to grab her hand and pull her to him on the platform above. Rude had seen the way Cloud held Tifa against him after her near-death experience, and it bothered him.

That episode had been the first time Rude had seen Tifa in months. He first laid eyes on the busty brunette two years earlier when he wandered into Sector 7. It had been awhile since he and Chelsea broke up and the old Midgar AVALANCHE fell. Reno was off chasing some girl at another bar, so Rude went to check out the sector to see if there were any new rumblings from a newly formed AVALANCHE. He was nearing the Seventh Heaven bar when a beautiful young woman, who couldn't have been older than 18 at the time, came rushing toward him on her way inside.

She bumped into Rude, surprisingly hard. Most people who made the mistake of bumping into him ended up injured due to his size and inability to be easily knocked over. But she didn't look hurt at all and when she told him "sorry" in a genuine tone, he knew she was not originally from Midgar. He was smitten immediately, and would sneak away sometimes while Reno was pursuing a woman to catch a glimpse of the young barmaid.

"You tried to kill us!" Reno retorted.

"Out!" Cloud commanded, pointing in the direction behind the two Turks and slamming the door in their faces.

Tifa and Cloud tried to keep the Turks out for as long as they could, even though the suckers kept trying. Business, however, was slow-going in the beginning. The bar itself became famous quickly because of its owners, but people didn't have a lot of money to spend – even on alcohol – while Edge was getting off the ground. The AVALANCHE leaders soon realized they couldn't afford to turn away any customers, especially not two who drank as much as the Turks.

Sure, they had millions of gil left over from their adventures even after giving some to Marle and building and furnished the new Seventh Heaven as well as their upstairs home, but they put what money remained away in case others needed it and for them to maybe, one day, be at a place where they didn't feel like they needed to fill every second of their day with some kind of work.

Once the Turks were finally allowed into the bar, Rude would usually sit at the counter and stare silently into his drink for hours. Occasionally he would say something to Tifa, but it was never more than a few words at a time. Reno would sit next to him, with his back to the bar and his elbows resting on the polished rosewood. He'd spend his nights scoping for women, and on many occasions left the bar accompanied by one. Every once in a while, Elena would join them. She would try to get Rude to talk, but failed often, and more likely ended up arguing with Reno over something political. Tifa tried her best to avoid getting sucked into any of their conversations. Even months after Meteor, and even though they were helping to rebuild while not trying to kill her, she still had some pent-up rage about the destruction of Sector 7.

When the apartment upstairs was finished, Cloud swept Tifa up in his arms bridal style and carried her up the stairs and over the threshold as she laughed. He didn't set her down at the door, however, instead taking her straight into their bedroom and tossing her onto their bed without objection.

Tifa propped herself up on her elbows and motioned with Cloud to come closer by bending her index finger. Cloud happily obliged, placing a hand on either side of her hips and leaning toward her until their lips met. He kissed her hungrily, pushing her head back into the pillow as he climbed on top of her. They were both so tired of having to be quiet that they skipped the foreplay, ripping each other's clothes off as they kissed fiercely.

Cloud entered her as soon as he had removed his boxer briefs, her body ready and willing for his cock. The usual slow and tenderness of their sexual encounters was replaced by wild thrusts and hurried kisses. Cloud thrust into Tifa hard enough to force her back against the headboard before he'd grab her hips and pull her back down. Tifa wrapped her arms around his waist to try and stay in place, bucking her hips against Cloud's to deepen the penetration. Cloud was naturally quieter than Tifa during these moments, even when given the ability to let loose, but he moaned with wanton abandon.

"Oh, fuck, Teef!" he said as he pushed deep inside her, scrunching his eyes closed as she tightened around his cock.

He opened his eyes again to watch her breasts bouncing beneath him. He may have wanted her so badly that he skipped the foreplay, but his mouth now found her nipple eagerly. Tifa moaned loudly as he pounded her, placing her palms on the headboard behind her to push herself into him when he thrust.

Cloud sat back up to watch the gorgeous woman writhing beneath him. He still couldn't believe she had stayed with him after Meteor was destroyed. He never in a million years thought he would be this lucky; to end up with the girl next door, the girl he had a crush on since he was a teenager.

Tifa, likewise, had been thinking since Nibelheim that Cloud would get sick of her when it was just the two of them, even though he had always seemed to act more like himself when he was around her than anyone else in AVALANCHE – Aerith included. Still, Tifa worried that Cloud had, in fact, loved the Ancient and was only choosing her because she happened to still be alive.

In this moment, however, her thoughts were elsewhere as she and Cloud came together with the much-needed release that had been building up since they first moved to Edge nearly six months ago. Tifa saw stars as her fluids mixed with Cloud's, for once being together in the comfort of a home they could call their own.

It seemed that just as Cloud finished releasing into her, one of his headaches struck. It was the second one this week. Tifa slid off his cock and put a hand on his shoulder, which he tried to bat away. He had never liked bothering anyone whenever these flashes would occur, but he was especially sensitive to their effect on Tifa now that they were happening when they should have stopped.

For a while, Tifa thought she was living her dream. She tended bar, while Cloud brought in more supplies and helped keep the place clean. He also took odd jobs helping people in dangerous situations, which led to him getting paid with a free motorbike called Fenrir. The bike quickly became the second-most important thing in his life next to Tifa.

She and Cloud spent their nights in each other's arms, a happy couple.

But about six months after the bar opened – and nearly a year after the calamity – she noticed Cloud's flashbacks and nightmares were getting worse. At first, he was troubled by nightmares at night, which she didn't think was odd given his past. She, too, found herself having nightmares at least once a week. By now, however, Cloud was having 3 or 4 nightmares a week. As time wore on, he started having just as many headaches a week.

In the beginning, she accepted his explanations that they were different than what he had in the past, but she always knew better. The incidents appeared as they had when she first found him outside the train in Sector 7, when he was clinging to life.

His demeanor began to change as the flashbacks increased. Whereas before he flirted openly with her even around patrons, now he bristled when she touched him. She wasn't sure if it was the flashbacks or if he suffered from wanderlust, but she became depressed. She wondered if he was simply incapable of settling down in one place. She had enjoyed traveling the world with her friends, but she always dreamed of having a home and settling down.

She knew the nightmares and flashbacks sometimes involved the fire in Nibelheim and her near-death experience with Sephiroth, but most of Cloud's recent demons revolved around his inability to save Aerith, it seemed.

She felt like she did when they were traveling, when she was unsure of his feelings toward her. He had confessed his feelings under the Highwind before their final battle – and many times since – but now she worried those feelings were fading. She didn't know what to do.

She tried to go on as best she could. She tried holding him, asking him what was wrong. Sometimes he wouldn't answer, other times he would hug her but not say a word. She hoped that whatever he was going through, he would someday let her in, that he would stop spending all his time away from the bar or working on Fenrir in the garage.

But it was not to be. One evening, now a year-and-a half after Meteor, Cloud approached Tifa as she was closing up the bar.

"Can we talk?" he asked, his voice low.

Tifa nervously agreed, though she could feel a pit forming in her stomach. The two sat down at a table and Cloud twiddled his thumbs, not looking at her.

"I think I need to go away for a while," he said.

Tifa's heart sank.

"Why? Where?" she asked. Cloud looked into her eyes, which were glistening with the promise of tears.

"I know I said I was going to live to overcome my sins, but it's getting harder and harder," he said. "I need… forgiveness, but I don't know how to get it."

"Is that why you mentioned it when we were at Aerith's lake?"

Cloud nodded his head.

"I think I need to ask her directly."

"So, do it. You can do that anywhere!" Tifa pleaded, not meaning to sound so harsh.

Cloud was taken aback but shook his head.

"I've tried. I don't think she can hear me – or she won't forgive me."

"Of course she will!" Tifa exclaimed. "I don't think she ever blamed you, she wouldn't!"

"I need to know for sure."

"How do you plan on finding out?"

"I want to go talk to her. Alone."

"Will you come back?"

At that question Cloud stiffened. Tears began to fall from Tifa's eyes and her heart started beating so fast she thought it would explode out of her chest. Cloud noticed her despair and took her hands in his, kissing her knuckles.

"Tifa, I love you," he said.

"Answer the question."

"If I find forgiveness, I'll come back."

His answer didn't satisfy her. It sounded like he may never come back. How could he find forgiveness from Aerith, who was dead and probably never blamed him to begin with? If he didn't find it while asking her here in the bar, how could he find it up north or anywhere else? It sounded to Tifa almost as if Cloud was breaking up with her but wanted to keep the option open – and she knew she would be there for him if and when he returned.

He had been pulling away for six months, and she was miserable, but she was willing to suffer if it meant being with Cloud. Even if he slept in the guest bedroom now, even if he didn't touch her anymore. He was here, and he was hers. She had decided that would be enough for her even if she knew in her heart it was wrong. They had one year of bliss before the headaches had become worse and he started pulling away.

During that previous year, she thought her life was perfect. Cloud was the boyfriend she always dreamed he would be. He was charming and caring, and funny and flirtatious when he was around her.

"So, you may never come back?" Tifa sobbed, pounding her fist on the table. Cloud again kissed her knuckles.

"I hope it won't come to that," he said weakly. His words didn't reassure her in the least.

Cloud stood up and walked to her side of the table and crouched beside her. He wrapped his arms around her as tightly as he could and kissed her on the top of her head. He pulled away after a moment and slowly headed for the door.

"I'm sorry," he said softly as he closed the door behind him.

Tifa slumped onto the table, finally having the massive cry she had been trying to suppress since Cloud started pulling away. She had cried many times over the past six months when she was alone in her room waiting and hoping for Cloud to join her, but this was different. She screamed into her folded arms about how this couldn't be happening. Cloud couldn't really be leaving her, could he? After everything they had been through, he was just going to abandon her for Aerith? Maybe he'd find forgiveness quickly and return to her?

She heard Fenrir's engine roar to life and quickly disappear. She lifted her head up and sniffled, her cheeks red and soaked with tears. She thought back over all the times they laughed together, all the times he told her he loved her, all the times he kissed her for no reason. She didn't want to believe that this was a breakup, even if her heart felt broken.

But he was gone, and she had no idea if he would ever come back.